Domitius Enobarus. Antony only, that would make his will
Lord of his reason. What though you fled
From that great face of war, whose several ranges
Frighted each other? why should he follow?
2250The itch of his affection should not then
Have nick'd his captainship; at such a point,
When half to half the world opposed, he being
The meered question: 'twas a shame no less
Than was his loss, to course your flying flags,
2255And leave his navy gazing.

Antony. To him again: tell him he wears the rose
Of youth upon him; from which the world should note
2270Something particular: his coin, ships, legions,
May be a coward's; whose ministers would prevail
Under the service of a child as soon
As i' the command of Caesar: I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparisons apart,
2275And answer me declined, sword against sword,
Ourselves alone. I'll write it: follow me.

[Exeunt MARK ANTONY and EUPHRONIUS]

Domitius Enobarus. [Aside] Yes, like enough, high-battled Caesar will
Unstate his happiness, and be staged to the show,
2280Against a sworder! I see men's judgments are
A parcel of their fortunes; and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them,
To suffer all alike. That he should dream,
Knowing all measures, the full Caesar will
2285Answer his emptiness! Caesar, thou hast subdued
His judgment too.

Cleopatra. What, no more ceremony? See, my women!
2290Against the blown rose may they stop their nose
That kneel'd unto the buds. Admit him, sir.

[Exit Attendant]

Domitius Enobarus. [Aside] Mine honesty and I begin to square.
The loyalty well held to fools does make
2295Our faith mere folly: yet he that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fall'n lord
Does conquer him that did his master conquer
And earns a place i' the story.

Thyreus. The scars upon your honour, therefore, he
Does pity, as constrained blemishes,
Not as deserved.

Cleopatra. He is a god, and knows
2320What is most right: mine honour was not yielded,
But conquer'd merely.

Domitius Enobarus. [Aside] To be sure of that,
I will ask Antony. Sir, sir, thou art so leaky,
That we must leave thee to thy sinking, for
2325Thy dearest quit thee.

[Exit]

Thyreus. Shall I say to Caesar
What you require of him? for he partly begs
To be desired to give. It much would please him,
2330That of his fortunes you should make a staff
To lean upon: but it would warm his spirits,
To hear from me you had left Antony,
And put yourself under his shrowd,
The universal landlord.
2335

Cleopatra. Most kind messenger,
Say to great Caesar this: in deputation
I kiss his conquering hand: tell him, I am prompt
2340To lay my crown at 's feet, and there to kneel:
Tell him from his all-obeying breath I hear
The doom of Egypt.

Thyreus. 'Tis your noblest course.
Wisdom and fortune combating together,
2345If that the former dare but what it can,
No chance may shake it. Give me grace to lay
My duty on your hand.

Cleopatra. Your Caesar's father oft,
When he hath mused of taking kingdoms in,
2350Bestow'd his lips on that unworthy place,
As it rain'd kisses.

Antony. Approach, there! Ah, you kite! Now, gods
2360and devils!
Authority melts from me: of late, when I cried 'Ho!'
Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth,
And cry 'Your will?' Have you no ears? I am
Antony yet.
2365[Enter Attendants]Take hence this Jack, and whip him.

Domitius Enobarus. [Aside] 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp
Than with an old one dying.

Antony. Moon and stars!
2370Whip him. Were't twenty of the greatest tributaries
That do acknowledge Caesar, should I find them
So saucy with the hand of she here,—what's her name,
Since she was Cleopatra? Whip him, fellows,
Till, like a boy, you see him cringe his face,
2375And whine aloud for mercy: take him hence.

Antony. Tug him away: being whipp'd,
Bring him again: this Jack of Caesar's shall
Bear us an errand to him.
2380[Exeunt Attendants with THYREUS]You were half blasted ere I knew you: ha!
Have I my pillow left unpress'd in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawful race,
And by a gem of women, to be abused
2385By one that looks on feeders?

Antony. I found you as a morsel cold upon
2395Dead Caesar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment
Of Cneius Pompey's; besides what hotter hours,
Unregister'd in vulgar fame, you have
Luxuriously pick'd out: for, I am sure,
Though you can guess what temperance should be,
2400You know not what it is.

Antony. To let a fellow that will take rewards
And say 'God quit you!' be familiar with
My playfellow, your hand; this kingly seal
2405And plighter of high hearts! O, that I were
Upon the hill of Basan, to outroar
The horned herd! for I have savage cause;
And to proclaim it civilly, were like
A halter'd neck which does the hangman thank
2410For being yare about him.
[Re-enter Attendants with THYREUS]Is he whipp'd?

Antony. If that thy father live, let him repent
Thou wast not made his daughter; and be thou sorry
To follow Caesar in his triumph, since
Thou hast been whipp'd for following him: henceforth
2420The white hand of a lady fever thee,
Shake thou to look on 't. Get thee back to Caesar,
Tell him thy entertainment: look, thou say
He makes me angry with him; for he seems
Proud and disdainful, harping on what I am,
2425Not what he knew I was: he makes me angry;
And at this time most easy 'tis to do't,
When my good stars, that were my former guides,
Have empty left their orbs, and shot their fires
Into the abysm of hell. If he mislike
2430My speech and what is done, tell him he has
Hipparchus, my enfranched bondman, whom
He may at pleasure whip, or hang, or torture,
As he shall like, to quit me: urge it thou:
Hence with thy stripes, begone!
2435

Cleopatra. Ah, dear, if I be so,
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail,
And poison it in the source; and the first stone
Drop in my neck: as it determines, so
Dissolve my life! The next Caesarion smite!
2450Till by degrees the memory of my womb,
Together with my brave Egyptians all,
By the discandying of this pelleted storm,
Lie graveless, till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey!
2455

Antony. I am satisfied.
Caesar sits down in Alexandria; where
I will oppose his fate. Our force by land
Hath nobly held; our sever'd navy too
Have knit again, and fleet, threatening most sea-like.
2460Where hast thou been, my heart? Dost thou hear, lady?
If from the field I shall return once more
To kiss these lips, I will appear in blood;
I and my sword will earn our chronicle:
There's hope in't yet.
2465

Antony. I will be treble-sinew'd, hearted, breathed,
And fight maliciously: for when mine hours
Were nice and lucky, men did ransom lives
Of me for jests; but now I'll set my teeth,
2470And send to darkness all that stop me. Come,
Let's have one other gaudy night: call to me
All my sad captains; fill our bowls once more;
Let's mock the midnight bell.

Cleopatra. It is my birth-day:
2475I had thought to have held it poor: but, since my lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatra.

Antony. Do so, we'll speak to them; and to-night I'll force
2480The wine peep through their scars. Come on, my queen;
There's sap in't yet. The next time I do fight,
I'll make death love me; for I will contend
Even with his pestilent scythe.

[Exeunt all but DOMITIUS ENOBARBUS]

Domitius Enobarus. Now he'll outstare the lightning. To be furious,
Is to be frighted out of fear; and in that mood
The dove will peck the estridge; and I see still,
A diminution in our captain's brain
Restores his heart: when valour preys on reason,
2490It eats the sword it fights with. I will seek
Some way to leave him.